Singapore Polytechnic raises $2.6m in donations to support students in need

SINGAPORE – More than 100 students from Singapore Polytechnic (SP) will get yearly bursaries worth $2,500 each from donations raised by the institution as it marks its 70th anniversary. 

The polytechnic, which is Singapore’s oldest, raised more than $2.6 million in endowed donations to support students in need.

To date, SP has helped more than 8,000 students with over 110 bursaries given yearly since 2013 under the Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild Education Fund. 

SP will also set aside $100,000 for the President’s Challenge. Half of the amount comes from the $2.6 million it has raised and the other half is from its income.

The President’s Challenge is a national movement led by the president to rally Singaporeans to build a caring society by raising funds to support disadvantaged communities through volunteering and inclusive employment.

The symbolic cheque was presented to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was guest of honour at the polytechnic’s 70th anniversary charity dinner. The event was attended by about 1,000 staff members, students, industry partners, alumni and some President Challenge beneficiaries. 

Mr Tharman said: “Singapore Polytechnic has had a quiet but major impact in developing our talents, and on economic progress over its 70 years. As Singapore’s first polytechnic, it has grown a robust network of alumni and industry partnerships. SP must also be commended for nurturing a culture of giving that resonates beyond its campus.”

One current bursary recipient is third-year civil engineering student Leen Koh. 

The 20-year-old, who comes from a single-parent family, gets $2,500 in financial support per semester. 

Ms Koh said the bursary has been helpful, especially since her mother has been unemployed for the past two years. It lifted a huge financial burden lifted off her mother, and Ms Koh said could better focus on her studies.  

She also receives a tuition grant of $9,000 per semester from the Ministry of Education, which covers the bulk of her school fees of $11,000 each semester. 

About half of the bursary amount goes to paying her school fees, and the rest is spent on necessities such as groceries. Ms Koh, who does not have siblings, and her mother also save on expenses by cooking at home or eating at hawker centres. 

Ms Koh said she and her mother can now buy better ingredients, such as more prawns and meat, to prepare meals. 

Mr Jimmy Lim, president of the Singapore Polytechnic Graduates’ Guild, said: “As we celebrate our alma mater’s 70th anniversary, I am deeply grateful to the SP community, along with friends, business associates and industry partners, for providing the gift of education to the less privileged, improving students’ learning experiences in SP and transforming their lives.

“It is heartwarming to see many offering their time, energy and expertise to organise the charity fund-raising event.”